116
Credit: Instagram
Tamra Judge suspects Shannon Beador is keeping their feud alive to stay in fans’ favor.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Tamra, 59, discussed her ongoing conflict with Shannon, 62, and revealed what viewers can expect from the Real Housewives of Orange County reunion. She also weighed in on the cast’s dependence on her for ratings, shared her hopes for season 21, and teased a first-of-its-kind moment at the recently filmed special.
“I didn’t murder anybody. I didn’t steal her husband. I didn’t do anything that was that bad,” Tamra said.
Tamra explained that she has spent “a few years” trying to repair her relationship with Shannon, but said those efforts have not succeeded.
“This year, I feel like she gave a little, and then pulled back, and then she gave a little,” Tamra said, suggesting Shannon was “playing for the comments section of Instagram.” She added, “Everyone’s like, ‘Don’t like Tamra. She’s horrible. Blah, blah, blah.’”
She also accused Shannon of sending mixed messages.
Tamra recalled having lengthy, candid phone conversations with Shannon, including some private criticism of their castmates. Yet, she said, Shannon would appear on a press line the following day and speak negatively about her. “You were just talking to me,” Tamra remembered thinking after seeing the interview a week later.
Although Tamra said she was not always aware of what Shannon said about her privately, she hinted that the pair addressed the issue during the reunion.
“It’s disgust at the reunion, and you’ll just have to see what happens,” she teased. “[But] I just want to move forward. It doesn’t make any sense to keep dwelling on the past. Like, the statute of limitations is up. Unless she has some new dirt on me, move on.”
Tamra described the reunion as having “a different feel.”
“I just thought, ‘You know what? I am going to maybe take a back seat a little bit and not be so vocal.’ I’m trying to understand what they want from me,” she said. However, three cast members reportedly approached her during filming and asked, “When are you gonna do your thing? When you doing your thing?” Tamra said the exchange suggested her co-stars were “relying on [her] for ratings.”
DISCOVER MORE: Houthi Attack Kills 12, Injures 300 at Riyadh Airport
Looking toward RHOC season 21, Tamra said the series could benefit from a major change.
“I definitely think there needs to be a little bit of shake-up. I really do,” she said. Tamra added that her decision to remain less “activated” than usual allowed viewers to focus on other cast members. “I’m not saying that I carry the show on my back, but my back did hurt for many years,” she remarked.
“I think that it kind of showed who’s working and who’s not,” she continued.
Tamra also confirmed that the reunion includes a first in the show’s history, though she stopped short of revealing exactly what happened.
“There was a first on this reunion — something that has never happened on any reunion, and yes, I am responsible,” she said. After returning home, Tamra woke up around 1 a.m. feeling anxious. “I’m like, ‘What did I do? What did I do?’”
She eventually contacted executive producers Andy Cohen, 58, and Alex Baskin.
“I talked to Andy and Alex, and I said, ‘You’re not gonna show that, right?’ And they said, ‘Oh yes, we are,’” Tamra revealed.
Then, after naming Heather Dubrow, 57, as the MVP of the reunion, Tamra said that Vicki Gunvalson, 63, may not have gotten out what she needed to at the taping.
“Only because she didn’t say the right things. But that’s Vicki,” she reasoned.
“There was a first at this reunion…” 👀 I’m sitting down with @bricesander to talk about what’s still to come in #RHOC Season 20 and reflecting on how different filming felt this year:
— Tamra Judge (@TamraJudgeOC) October 9, 2026
The Real Housewives of Orange County season 20 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo.